In this conversation, Jamie Curcio, a prolific writer and game world-builder, tackles the intricate interplay of power, narrative, and climate action. He delves into the revival of animistic traditions and how contemporary storytelling shapes identity and community. Jamie explores the shift from Gnostic idealism to materialism through systems thinking, emphasizing the role of art in personal transformation. The discussion also reflects on technology's impact on sustainability, the ethical complexities of AI in creativity, and the optimistic potentials of a post-civilizational future.
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Jamie Curcio's Background
Jamie Curcio's diverse background includes role-playing games, Joseph Campbell lectures, and philosophy.
His work explores how narratives shape our world.
insights INSIGHT
Shift in Philosophical Perspective
Jamie Curcio's perspective shifted from Gnostic idealism to a non-reductive, systems-based materialism.
This emphasizes interconnectedness and complexity over reductionist views.
insights INSIGHT
Legibility and Knowledge Systems
Michael Garfield and Jamie Curcio connect over the concept of legibility and the limitations of knowledge systems.
They see models and frameworks as rafts upon a vast, complex reality.
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Manuel DeLanda's "A Thousand Years of Non-Linear History" offers a unique perspective on historical processes, moving away from traditional linear narratives. DeLanda emphasizes the role of complex systems and emergent properties in shaping historical events. He argues that history is not a series of predetermined events but rather a dynamic interplay of various factors. The book challenges conventional historical interpretations by incorporating concepts from systems theory and complexity science. DeLanda's work has been influential in fields such as history, philosophy, and social sciences, prompting a re-evaluation of how we understand historical change. His approach encourages a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the past.
Hell: In Search of A Christian Ecology
Hell: In Search of A Christian Ecology
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Timothy Morton
Tales from When I Had a Face
Tales from When I Had a Face
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Jamie Curcio
The Demon-Haunted World
Carl Sagan
In 'The Demon-Haunted World,' Carl Sagan warns about the dangers of a scientifically illiterate society. He argues that the rise of pseudoscience and superstition threatens our ability to make informed decisions and undermines the foundations of democracy. The book advocates for the use of critical and skeptical thinking, presenting a 'baloney detection kit' to help readers distinguish between scientific evidence and pseudoscientific claims. Sagan discusses various forms of pseudoscience, including UFO sightings, astrology, and faith healing, and emphasizes the importance of science education and literacy in navigating the complexities of the modern world.
Jitterbug perfume
Tom Robbins
In 'Jitterbug Perfume,' Tom Robbins crafts a narrative that spans centuries, intertwining the lives of various characters across different time periods. The story follows King Alobar, a medieval king seeking immortality, and his journey with his beloved Kudra, as well as modern characters like Priscilla, a waitress and amateur perfumer in Seattle, and Madame Devalier, who runs a perfume shop in New Orleans. The novel explores themes of immortality, humor, individuality, and love, using the scent of perfume as a metaphor for deeper life philosophies and connections to the past. The narrative is characterized by Robbins' unique blend of humor, philosophy, and vivid descriptions, making it a wild and intellectually challenging read[2][4][5].
Unweaving the Rainbow
Science, Delusion and the Appetite for Wonder
Richard Dawkins
In 'Unweaving the Rainbow', Richard Dawkins addresses the notion that scientific explanations destroy the beauty and wonder of natural phenomena. He counters this idea, particularly the criticism by John Keats that Newton's explanation of the rainbow diminished its poetry. Dawkins demonstrates how scientific understanding can actually increase our appreciation and wonder for the world. The book covers a wide range of scientific topics, including astronomy, genetics, and the perception of light and sound, showing how these explanations are more beautiful and inspiring than the myths and legends they replace.
American Gods
Neil Gaiman
American Gods is a kaleidoscopic journey deep into myth and across an American landscape that is both eerily familiar and utterly alien. The story follows Shadow Moon, an ex-con who, upon his release from prison, finds his world turned upside down. His wife has been killed, and he is offered a job by the mysterious Mr. Wednesday, who is actually the Norse god Odin. Shadow becomes entangled in a battle between the old gods of myth and folklore and the new gods of technology, media, and money. The novel is a blend of mystery, satire, sex, horror, and poetic prose, taking the reader on a road trip across America to encounter a variety of unusual characters and roadside attractions. It explores themes of cultural identity, the power of myths, and the changing values of American society[1][2][5].
This week I talk with Jamie Curcio to ask, whom do we serve? Who gives us power, and to whom do we give ours? Where does that power come from? To whom do we sell our stories?
We explore the world behind the world, linking Jamieâs writing and game world-building in the domain he calls myth punk, and the equally Eldritch complex systems wicked problem of climate action.
Studying that link, we can trace the outlines of emergent 21st Century religions â the reinterpretation of axial traditions suited to the digital era, the metamodern revival of land-based animistic traditions, and even weirder novel forms that arise at the end of one world and the effloresence of many others.
1. Jamie's Background (0:05:46)2. Embracing the Unknown and the Role of Artifice (0:11:14) 3. Prometheus, Intentional Mystery, and the Nature of Agency (0:16:21)4. Introducing the Fallen Cycle and its Mythological Framework (0:21:57)5. Exploring Thematic Elements: Gods, Myths, and Consumerism (0:27:32)6. Climate Change, Hyperobjects, and Societal Inertia (0:33:36)7. Festivals, Dionysus, and the Value of Liminal Spaces (0:40:26)8. AI as a Creative Tool and Collaborator (0:46:05)9. Mythology, Role-Playing, and Enacting Change (0:52:16)10. Engaging with Jamie's Work and Final Thoughts (0:56:03)
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